Building A Business Empire From Scratch In Another World-Chapter 212: Daily Rumblings

The morning sun slowly rose up from the eastern horizon, its golden fingers of light spilled over the capital city. Smoke rose from chimneys, the morning air was fresh,the chirping of birds and the noise of commoners who have already gotten up to go about their daily works.

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Morningstar Group Headquarters.

Inside his office, an atmosphere of quiet and heavy as well. The faint smell lf sandalwood lingered in the air with the scent of ink mingled with polished wood, creating an air that was both scholarly and serene.

Papers were meticulously arranged across his wide obsidian desk, a city map sprawled among them, red circles marking damaged areas and blue notes detailing reconstruction progress.

Felix leaned back in his chair, narrowing his eyes as he absorbed the latest reports.

Across from him sat Nixie, perched on the edge of a cushioned chair. Her usual carefree grin had been replaced by an unusual seriousness; her pink hair was tied into a messy ponytail as she sifted through a mountain of documents.

"So far, our reconstruction teams have restored about seventy percent of infrastructure in Zone Five through Eight," Nixie reported, flipping through her papers with purpose.

"The rest are still under repair. The main challenge? Is construction materials, it's taking longer than we anticipated."

Felix nodded thoughtfully. "That's to be expected. Astheria was built with good materials. Have the workers received new supplies from central warehouse?"

"They have," Nixie replied with a hint of frustration creeping into her voice. "But we're short on workers, some were injured during the attacks while others quit after… well, witnessing what happened."

She paused before looking up at him earnestly. "I hired replacements; they may not be as skilled but will help maintain steady progress."

"Good," Felix said quietly without tearing his gaze from the map spread before him. "And what about those affected?"

Nixie's expression softened as she responded, "All families who lost loved ones have been compensated, fifty thousand gold per fatality and twenty for injuries. Word spread quickly across the Capital; most people are calling you a savior."

A faint smile flickered across Felix's lips but lacked warmth. "Saviors are useful myths."

Nixie's frown deepened slightly. "You could at least accept a compliment!"

"Compliments don't rebuild cities," he replied simply.

Nixie shuffled through another stack of reports before saying brightly, "Here's something interesting! The commoners practically worshipping your name now! Word has traveled fast, especially since we didn't take a single coin from them in return."

She looked up, pride flickering in her eyes. "You should've seen it, big bro! Shopkeepers putting up banners proclaiming 'Morningstar Stands With the People.' Kids running around with handmade badges shaped like our emblem. You've ignited a movement without even trying!"

Felix turned his gaze toward the window. From their lofty vantage point, the faint sound of cheering drifted upward,the distant chants of grateful workers finishing their shifts.

"I didn't build this company to be adored," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

Nixie leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. "Maybe not. But people need someone to believe in, especially now."

He fell silent.

After a moment's pause, Nixie hesitated before speaking again. "There's… another thing."

Felix raised an eyebrow. "Go on."

She tapped another report, this one thinner and marked with a red seal. "The nobles aren't happy."

"That's hardly news," Felix replied dryly.

"No, this time it's different." Nixie's playful tone vanished, replaced by something colder.

"They're spreading rumors that the Morningstar Group is trying to 'buy loyalty.' They claim you're bribing the people with gold to turn them against the nobility."

Felix's expression hardened. "Typical."

"They're calling you a merchant tyrant," she added with a grimace. "You know how their gossip works in the Capital. If this spreads too far, they'll twist it into justification for interference."

Felix leaned forward, elbows resting on his desk. "Let them."

"Let them?" she echoed, blinking in surprise. "You're not worried?"

"No." His tone was calm yet sharp enough to cut through the tension. "Because they're playing the wrong game."

Nixie frowned in confusion. "Meaning?"

"Fear," he said simply. "They think this empire runs on fear—fear of titles, lineage, and consequences. But fear fades when people are fed; when they can work, earn, and live without kneeling."

He met her gaze then; his amber eyes glinted with calm certainty. "The nobles don't understand yet: The people they used to control are learning what it means to stand tall."

For a moment, Nixie was speechless before breaking into a faint smile. "You sound like you're planning something again."

"I'm always planning," Felix replied with an enigmatic grin.

The silence that followed wasn't awkward,it was a shared understanding forged through battles weathered together.

Nixie let out an exaggerated sigh as she flipped open yet another document. "Oh, you're going to love this one," she teased, her tone playful.

"Baron Fostrich has sent in a formal complaint. Apparently, one of our supply carts blocked his carriage for a whole five minutes! Can you believe it? He's demanding ten thousand gold for 'emotional damages.'"

Felix blinked slowly, processing the absurdity. "Approve it."

Nixie froze mid-laugh. "Wait, what?"

"Approve it," he reiterated calmly. "And make sure the payment is delivered personally—in copper coins."

She gawked at him before bursting into laughter so hard that she nearly toppled from her chair. "You..ha! You're just cruel!"

"Efficient," Felix corrected with a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes.

Nixie grinned widely, shaking her head in disbelief. "Oh, that's going to drive him absolutely insane!"

"That's the point."

The next hour slipped by in a tranquil focus as Nixie immersed herself in budget reports, supply logs, and compensation ledgers while Felix annotated notes in silence.

Outside their window, the sun continues

to rise along the skyline its golden hue slowly transforming into glaring hot orange glow.

At one moment, Nixie glanced up from her stack of parchment and tilted her head curiously. "You don't sleep much anymore, do you?"

Felix didn't lift his gaze from the page. "Sleep's for men without enemies."

She sighed dramatically. "That's such a terrible motto."

"It's accurate," he replied matter-of-factly as he turned another page.

Rolling her eyes playfully, she muttered under her breath, "You and your stoic drama…"

Felix shot her a brief glance. "Drama?"

"Yeah," she said with a smirk as she leaned back and kicked her feet up onto the desk casually. "You sit here all brooding and calm while the city either burns or worships you, it makes you look like one of those tragic heroes from those cheap novels I read."

Felix gave her an unimpressed look. "Remind me to restrict your book budget."

"You wouldn't dare!" she shot back smugly.

"Try me."

A soft knock interrupted their banter.

Felix didn't look up immediately but simply said, "Enter."